Top construction for vehicle bodies



H. C. MAls I 7 TOP CONSTRUCTION FOB VEHICLE BODIES F1195" an. 2, 192a Fatentsd Apr. 28, 1925.

HERMAN C. MAISE, 033 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TD BRIGGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 01* DETROIT, MIOHEG-AN, A CQRPGRATIQN OF MICHIGAN.

TOP CONSTRUCTIGN FOR- VEHICLE BODIES.

Application filed January 2, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

lle it known that I, HERMAN C. Maren, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of lVayne and Sitate of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Top Constructions for Vehicle Bodies, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to vehicle body tops and refers more particularly to tops of closed motor vehicle bodies. One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a top which may be readily built up and in which the top and side linings are firmly secured in place in such a object is the provision of a top provided with means for concealing the joint between the top and side linings. Further objects of the invention reside in the novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as more fully hereinafter set forth.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a portion of a closed body embodying my invention;

Figure- 2 is a transverse cross section through the top of the body;

l igure 3 is a sectional perspective View thereof.

In the present instance, the vehicle body top is shown as applied to a closed motor vehicle body, such as a sedan and has a continuous rigid top frame which comprises the. upper plate 1 and the lower plate 2 secured thereto, the upper plate having its upper inner corner rabbeted or cut away for re ceiving the edges of both the top and side linings 3 and at respectively. In detail, the side lining, which is formed of a suitable fabric, has a securing edge portion 5 engaging the horizontal and vertical shoulders of the rabbeted corner and secured thereto by the tacks 6, the depending portion 7 at the inner side of the plates and the return bent or upwardly extending portion 8, which together with the depending portion incloses the stiffening member 9 formed of saitable material such as cardboard. The portions engaging the stiffening member are preferably glued thereto and the lower edge of my that they, cannot easily become torn away. Another Serial No. 610,333.

the depending portion extends to a point flush with the lower face of the lower plate 2 except at the door openings where the lower plate is cut away, so that the depending portion extends below the cut away lower face and conceals the joint at the upper end of the door. The return bent portion of the lining extends upwardly a sufficient distance to conceal the stiffening member when the motor vehicle door is open.

The top lining 3, which is formed of a suitable fabric and preferably the same fabric as that con'iprising the side lining, extends over the horizontal shoulder of the rabbeted corner of the plate 1 and is secured in place with the lining in taut condition. To secure the top lining in place and avoid the liability of the same tearing out easily, I have provided the clamping strip 10, preferably formed of cardboard, and extending along the securing edge portion 11 of the top lining and secured to the horizontal rabbcted shoulder of the plate by suitable means such as the tacks 12, which also pass through the side lining.

To conceal the joint between the top and side linings, I have provided the folded strip 13 preferably formed of the same fabric as the top and side linings and in the fold of which is placed the wire 1st forming a head 15 at the junction of the top and side linings. This folded strip is secured to the horizontal rabbeted shoulder of the plate by suitable means,such as the tacks 16 previous to the securing of the top lining in place.

After the concealing strip and the top lining have been secured in place, the top deck 17 is stretched over the top frame and secured in place.

With this arrangement, the joint between the top and side linings is concealed and the top and side linings are secured in such a way that they will not readily tear out.

What- I claim as my invention is:

1. In a top of a closed motor vehicle body. the combination with a continuous rigid frame comprising a plate having an upper inner rabbeted corner, of a side lining haw ing a portion engaging and secured to the abbeted corner of said plate and a depending portion at the inner side of said plate. top lining having its side edge extending over the rabbeted corner of said plate, and

a clamping strip secured to the rab'heted corner of said plate and clamping the side edge of said top lining to said plate.

2. In a vehicle top, the combination With a frame member having a rabbeted corner, of a side lining having a lateral portion at its upper edge secured to one face of the rahbeted corner and having a return-bent portion at its lower edge, a stiffening memher for said lining secured to said returnbent portion, a separate top lining extending over the lateral portion of the side lining, means for securing said top lining to said rabheted corner, and a top deck extending over said top lining and the rabh'eted corner of the frame member and secured to the latter.

3- In a vehicle top, the combination with a rigid frame including a member having a rahheted corner, of a side lining having a lateral portion at its upper edge secured to one face of the rahbeted corner, a se )arate top lining extending over the lateral portion of the side lining, means for securing said top lining to said rabheted corner, and a top deck extending over said top lining and the rahbeted corner of said member and s cured to the latter.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

HERB Lil? C. Ti'LilSlG. 

